Southwest
Region
 |
 |
|
BLOGS
STORIES
Stories & columns
From past 90 days
NEWS SERVICE Area Extension events
Mug shots and more
Take survey, see results
Help with news writing
IMPACTS!
EXTRA! Truman Birthplace
Public Issue topics
Weekly column
Most recent guide
Local Extension newsletters
Family history project
Research surveys and more
Tell us who you are
Templates, schedules and more
REPORTER BYLINE PROJECT
COUNTIES Other
Thanks to the Greene County Commission, executive body of government in Greene County, for its annual support of extension. |
Got sawdust? Here is some information that might be helpful if you are seeking a way to use, sell it, recycle it or just get rid of it.During the spring of 2005, Extension received the following question: "We are a small company that manufactures picture frame molding. We are generating lots of sawdust that is going to the landfill. I understand there was a study done regarding the use of … sawdust as agricultural fertilizer. How can I find out more?" -- Herbert Straub, president of Vinyl Moldings, Inc., Willard, Mo. After a summer of research and contacts, this is what was discovered: RESEARCH Sawdust as mulch or soil amendment (.pdf of 1994 report) -- A study by Dr. Chris Starbuck from the University of Missouri. Article from Missouri Department of Conservation: http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/forest/products/EverythingButTheSqueal/ CONTACTS WHO CAN HELP Kristin Allan, program manager for the EIERA/Missouri Market Development Program. E-mail kristin.allan@dnr.mo.gov; Telephone: (573) 526-5555. Barbara Lucks, Materials Recovery and Education Coordinator for Springfield Public Works Department. E-mail: blucks@ci.springfield.mo.us; or telephone: (417) 864-2000, Ext. 2205 Elizabeth Aull, recycling coordinator for Nestle Purina PetCare in Springfield. E-mail: EAull@purina.com; Telephone: (417) 575-5933.
UPDATE FROM HERBERT STRAUB Received Oct. 5, 2005
"Fortunately" for us,
the landfill did not like all of our sawdust. They suggested
contacting the treatment plant, which uses sawdust
extensively to mix with the waste stream before using as
fertilizer. We had made this contact before but were turned
away because they had an adequate list of sources at that
time. With the help of the solid waste manager, we were able
to be included as a supplier to the treatment plant.
In the meantime, I
have been approached by a gentleman in Joplin who sells
sawdust to some companies in Iowa as boiler fuel. If I was
to choose this approach, I would need to replace my dust
system, or at least add a huge storage bin. This bin is
needed so the truck can be filled almost instantly, rather
than a fill as you go process. The bins are expensive but we
would have no hauling charges so we are obviously
considering this approach.
Herbert Straub, president of Vinyl Moldings, Inc., Willard, Mo. E-mail: hmstraub@sbcglobal.net
BACKGROUND Rick Mammen, agronomy specialist in Barton County (home of O'Sullivan Industries), says that at one time, O’Sullivan was spreading sawdust on fields and reporting great benefits. The only study related to that effort was a soil test done through Extension but the results were nothing special. Dr. Chris Starbuck, woody ornamentals specialist with University of Missouri Extension, did research 10 years ago on the effects of adding sawdust as mulch or as a soil amendment. He also studied the properties of sawdust composted with poultry manure. “Composted sawdust is good stuff. But, if nitrogen isn’t added to sawdust, it does not seem to matter how long it is aged or rotted,” said Dr. Starbuck. Kristin Allan, program manager for the Missouri Market Development Program in Jefferson City, studies proven potential uses and markets for waste wood shavings and sawdust. “There is 1.65 million tons of wood waste generated in Missouri each year. Of that, 221.4 thousand tons are unused. This 86.6 percent usage rate is an improvement from the 50 percent rate in 1987. But, there is an opportunity for the remaining 221.4 tons,” wrote Allan in an e-mail.
She says several factors make
disposition of this waste wood a major issue. First, decaying piles
can contaminate our water supply and take up valuable land space.
Second, hauling costs can make landfilling the waste cost
prohibitive to small manufacturers. Barbara Lucks, Materials Recovery and Education Coordinator for Springfield Public Works Department, says one local way to recycle the sawdust exists at Nestle Purina PetCare in the Partnership Industrial Center, Springfield, Mo. Another local option is the Southwest Treatment Plant, which uses sawdust extensively to mix with the waste stream before using as fertilizer.
According to Elizabeth Aull, recycling coordinator for NPPC in Springfield, sawdust is used in their manufacturing process. “Sawdust is mixed in with paper to produce material for our Yesterday’s News brand litters for cats, ferrets and rabbits or Secondnature brand material for dog litter boxes as well as bedding for rabbits and other small animals,” said Aull. To learn more, visit www.biggreenbin.com. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT |
||
|
|
||||
|
|
David L. Burton, BurtonD@missouri.edu |
|
||
